Pennsylvania Granted Grace Period for REAL ID Compliance, Says Heffley
HARRISBURG – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended Pennsylvania’s REAL ID enforcement grace period through July 10, 2017, Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) said today.
Under the extension, Pennsylvanians will be able to use their current driver license when entering federal facilities through July 10, 2017. Pennsylvania driver licenses will also be accepted for commercial air travel through Jan. 22, 2018.
Heffley is encouraging those who have questions or concerns to contact his office for additional information regarding birth certificate applications and other state forms needed to obtain a REAL ID or passport.
“My offices have been receiving dozens of calls about the REAL ID issue and I want to share as much information as possible because these guidelines will impact many Pennsylvanians,” said Heffley.
The House passed and the governor signed
Senate Bill 133 (Act 3 of 2017) on May 26, which repealed previous REAL ID nonparticipation legislation and allows the Commonwealth to provide REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and identification cards at the customer’s option, PennDOT submitted a longer-term extension request to DHS and is currently awaiting DHS response. DHS has confirmed that REAL ID extension decisions are pending final review, and federal agencies have been advised to continue accepting driver licenses and identification cards through the grace period.
Preliminary work on REAL ID has begun, and PennDOT estimates REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and identification cards will be available at the customer’s option in 2019. This will allow ample time for customers who want a REAL ID product to get one before the final DHS effective date of Oct. 1, 2020.
Heffley will be holding a town hall meeting on Thursday, June 15, at Whispering Pines, Penn Forest Fire Co. No. 1, Route 903, Jim Thorpe, at 5:30 p.m. for anyone wishing to learn more about REAL ID or other state issues.
Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Dux
717.260.6695
mdux@pahousegop.com
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